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Transmission Fix or Replace?

4K views 27 replies 3 participants last post by  Russell82 
#1 ·
Hey guys. not sure how to highjack another thread so I decided to make a new one that may also benefit others in this decision.

A few of you seen my other posts, but heres the deal..

2004 Chevy Impala LS 3.8 V6, 4T65E 4-Speed automatic transmission, 180k miles.

So as some of you know, my car has a High Rev slip from 1st to 2nd. all other gears it shifts fine, same with reverse. If I put the gear selector to drive 1, there is no slip.
I currently have the suspension and CV axles out of the car.
My options are:
-Remove the tranny and replace?

-drop the tranny and replace the solenoids? I also ordered the TransGo Shift kit that I am going to use regardless of a replacement tranny or not.

Rubicon Recycling here in Rome NY sells used transmission for $225 pulled. I still have to see if there is any type of warranty with it, and if they have tested them on arrival.

Transmission Tech's.. does a high rev slip indicate a sensor issue, or a solenoid? or does it point to something else internal?
No mil light, no engine codes stored in memory.

I gotta get my ass in gear with this one. fall is sneakin up on me pretty quick!
 
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#2 ·
I'd try the shift kit and see if that helps. If it doesn't, it can always be removed and reinstalled in the replacement trans.

As far as the tranny for $225, I would not expect that to be tested or come with any type of warranty at all.

If your tranny is fine other than the 1-2 shift, I wouldn't bother swapping it out. There are things to do to fix it, and the replacement trans is likely to have more and different issues than the one you've got.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the Response! Im not much of a motor/tranny guy. I do basic mechanical which is basically anything that doesnt involve internal motor/trans or head gaskets.

You said there are ways to fix this high rev slip? and that you wouldnt replace the tranny right? What would u do in this situation?
you think the shift kit would fix it or should I do that plus change out the solenoids?

Im hoping this will be a somewhat cheap fix. I still have to change the front wheel bearings, lower ctrl arms, brakes and rotors. of course im going to make sure the trans gets fixed before the other issues, oh and the speedo doesnt work either. repaced VSS too.
 
#4 ·
I'm not much of a mechanical guy either, so I can't really say.

What I'd do is install as much of the shift kit as you can (since you said you've already got a lot of it apart, you'll probably have better access to the side case). I'd drive it around for a bit and see how that effects things. If it helps, awesome! If it doesn't, well the trans would have to come out anyways, and you can transfer all the parts from the shift kit into the replacement trans.

I believe I remember you said the speedometer wasn't working correctly. What exactly was the issue. I'd bet you need a new servo/stepper motor. I'd replace them all while you're in there, since they very commonly go bad. There is an updated part number that are much more reliable, and they cost like $5 each. Very cheap. But you'll have to solder them onto the circuit board, which involves disassembling the cluster. Pretty easy to do, there's a thread on here that describes exactly how to do it. I'll see if I can find it...
 
#5 ·
#6 ·
Thanks buddy. I will definitely look into that. I may get aftermarket gauge faces and change those out while im in there. I am focusing on the tranny right now so once thats fixed I can move on to other projects.
You asked what was wrong with the car?..
well I bought it with a slipping tranny and a messed up speedometer thinking okay this is just a speed sensor issue. I went ahead and changed that out, but did no good.
Its not a severe issue, like I said there is only a high rev slip, and what happens is when I put it into drive, I have to rev it up before it will start to move, but if I put it into D1, it takes off automatically. so im thinking it must be the pressure solenoid or something since there is no issues when I shift it manually.
Its not throwing out any codes so I have nothing pointing me in the right direction.
 
#7 ·
#8 ·
ohh right. The only thing messed up is the speedo. the other gauges are working fine.
The speedo at first would just be whacky like when im going 40 it says im going 80, it would kinda move all around when driving, and when I park and shut it off it would read 50. I started it up today and its pointing straight down. I took the suspension out so I cant move it to see if it moves. maybe the stepper motor broke and thats why its pointing down? idk.
 
#9 ·
Stepper motor issue 100%
 
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#11 ·
Do you have a 25w iron? That's the most important thing. I use a rosin core solder as opposed to a lead core, for obvious reasons.
 
#13 ·
If you already have all the suspension out and have access to the side cover on the Trans then I would do the complete Trans go kit and replace the pcs. There is a tsb on the pcs. Most people just deal with it or do the Transgo kit. But if u have access to it you might as well replace it. They are not that expensive.
 
#14 ·
What is the Tsb and Pcs? sorry im not a tranny person. I know that you need to open the side cover and the sensors and solenoids are in there.
Is there a transmission kit you can buy that has all the solenoids and sensors you need?

On the steering gear.. is it the steering knuckel that must be removed to lover the tranny?
 
#15 ·
Tsb is a service bulletin from gm. The pcs is the pressure solenoid. The main failure or weak point on these tranny's.

And yes I believe the steering knuckle must be removed.
 
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#18 ·
so I decided to take on the solenoid job. ive got the tranny dropped and all of the side cover bolts loose except for the T40 torx on the bottom, I dont have one of those so its off to the parts store in the AM.

Do you know a place where I can get all the solenoids? or should I just replace the PCS?
 
#17 ·
#19 ·
I would replace at minimum the pcs and 1-2 solenoid. I would also pull the 4th gear out and inspect it.
 
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#21 ·
I do not know of any kit. I would purchase all solenoids from Rockauto.com

Cheapest place for parts
 
#25 ·
My first time on here today! what a day so far haha. Thanks for the response.

As far as the issue I have goes.. I consider it a 1-2 high rev slip.
Here's an example;
I get in the car and back out of driveway, put into D(Drive/Overdrive) it acts like a standard when taking off, it revs high(as a standard would) then once it shifts into 2nd, it will be fine going through the gears, same as when I slow down to turn it will be fine, but once I STOP<~~ thats the key part, when I stop is when I have the issue. but like I said other than stopping it doesnt have an issue.
 
#26 ·
A different subject - Humming noise.
This humming noise I have is weird. its much louder in the car than outside. It doesnt sound like a wheelbearing issue I ever had. plus I jacked it up and shook the wheel with a lot of effort and no freeplay whatsoever. this is the passanger side, so when im driving, I jerk the wheel to the left, increase the humming a little, then jerk to the right and the noise subsides greatly.
I even took the front differential off and all gears looked good, and I put in a new CV axle as well. so idk. I really need a tool that does ABS.
*NOTE** You asked about the scan tool. it does not do ABS, but it does Tranny codes. its the same scan tool I used on my 03 monte when I had the P1811 code. It was mid winter and I didnt want to screw with that shit so I sold it. im waiting for my solenoids to come in, I want to get this impala fixed before winter comes back. haha.
 
#27 ·
The humming sounds like an ISS (Intermediate steering shaft) issue to me.
 
#28 · (Edited)
well idk the steering shaft doesnt turn all the time. The humming goes with the road speed, if I go faster, the noise will increase, and when I let off the gas, the noise will decrease with speed and is gone when stopped.
It sounds like the plastic wheel well is rubbing on the tread of a tire, kinda sounds like a loud prop plane at higher speeds. I check all possibilities and nothing is rubbing.

Can the ABS make that sound? last week I had the front wheels in the air and the car in gear, and it was loudest in the car, sounded like up under the defroster. Outside of the car you could still hear it, but you cant really pin point where. I listened at the hubs, it SEEMS as if its coming from the differential but like I said before I took at that out and checked the gears plus put a new CV axle in.
(May be internal transmission?? the part that stumps me is how the sound almost goes away when turning right.)
 
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